Welcome to the Sunday Gathering recap (songs, hymns, liturgy and sermon). This blog gives you an opportunity to reflect on what you heard in the gathering or catch up if you weren’t able to be with us.
*The indented sections are responses read aloud by the congregation during the Gathering
ROMANS - God’s Sovereignty
CALL TO WORSHIP
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture.
(Psalm 95:1-7)
Song: Indescribable
Song: Fountain of Goodness
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We've already heard and sung of God's unfailing and unchanging character, that he is faithful in all he promises. We've sung that he is the one who brings salvation, yet so often we are quick to forget this. We begin to believe that it is our work and merit that make us right with God. When we do that we take the cross for granted and fail to give God the glory and thanksgiving he deserves.
So take a moment in the quiet of your heart to confess that to God now. Of the ways this week you have resting on your own goodness and achievement One of the joys of gathering together as God's people is that when we forget God's truth, we can remind one another and encourage one another with it together. We can preach the gospel- the good news of what God has done for us in Jesus- again to one another So let's do that now as we read these words of assurance together:
For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that none of us can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
When we receive this gift of grace, we are welcomed into God's family, we are part of his people and our identity changes. Let's sing out in light of that truth together now.
Song: Made Alive
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Gary Aston preached to us from Romans 11:1-10 this Sunday as we thought about God’s Sovereignty. Click here to listen to that sermon.
COMMUNION
Every week we want to respond to what God has done for us in Jesus. One of the great ways he has provided for us to remember the truth of the gospel is giving us communion. As we take the bread and wine we remember what Jesus has done for us.
POST COMMUNION READING
Jesus’ death brings us life and this meal reminds us that we are fed by Jesus and forgiven because of Jesus.
We rejoice that You have died, rose again, and are now with the Father advocating for us. Amen.
With our money, time, and talent we give generously, knowing that through Your Son, Jesus, You have generously given to us.
We rejoice that You have given everything and we joyfully give everything back to Your care. Amen.
Song: Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
Song: Here is Love
COMMITMENT READING
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying:
“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
(Revelation 7:9-12)
Song: This I Believe
BENEDICTION
Go and celebrate the Father’s Love, Christ’s victory, and the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts as we share our hope with the rest of the world.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.